Beyond’s Michael Murphy departs to relaunch consultancy Rockabill Media

Michael Murphy

Beyond Distribution’s former manager Michael Murphy is leaving the business to relaunch consultancy firm Rockabill Media, with three projects on the slate.

Murphy will work on international film and TV projects, providing consultancy across areas including content strategy, distribution, executive production and financing.

He is consulting on raising funds for a yet to be announced, new genre production company focused on adapting existing female-led IP, while also exec producing two other shows.

Feature film Ismael is based on the novel by Roy Jacobson, while Wir Sind Maschinen is a three-part Spring Films music documentary exploring how German electronic music changed the world. Murphy previously led the project in his previous role heading up BeyondTNC.

Murphy’s exit from Beyond comes six months since Banijay completed its deal to acquire the firm, closing its sales division a month later, as revealed by TBI.

The French group took full control of the London-, Ireland- and Australia-based firm in January and has since also closed its Pooch Perfect label Beyond Productions UK.

Prior to Beyond, Murphy worked as director of programmes at TV3 Television in Ireland, was director of digital television at Eircon and was CEO at Windmill Lane Entertainment.

Murphy said the new-look Rockabill’s “real value [is] in advising on content strategy and then helping IP owners to follow the most relevant – and lucrative – creative and commercial paths.” The company makes its market debut at MIPCOM next month.